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{{About|the city in the Netherlands|the Italian rolling stock manufacturer|Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie|5=Breda (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- Name and transliteration -->| name               = Breda
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|City]] and [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]]
<!-- Images, nickname, motto -->| image_skyline      = 2010-05-21-breda-by-RalfR-06.jpg
| image_size         = 280px
| image_caption      = Docks in the city center
| image_flag         = Flag of Breda.svg
| flag_size          = 100x67px
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Breda wapen.svg
| shield_size        = 100x80px
| shield_alt         = <!-- Maps, coordinates -->
| image_map          = Map - NL - Municipality code 0758 (2009).svg
| map_alt            = Highlighted position of Breda in a municipal map of North Brabant
| map_caption        = Location in North Brabant
| pushpin_map        = Netherlands#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the Netherlands##Location within Europe
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|51|35|20|N|04|46|33|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Location, established, seat, subdivisions, government, leaders-->| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Brabant]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="mayor_now">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.breda.nl/gemeente/college-commissieleden/de-heer-pacm-van-der-velden
 |title       = de heer P.A.C.M. van der Velden
 |language    = nl
 |publisher   = Gemeente Breda
 |access-date  = 12 April 2014
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140410032411/http://www.breda.nl/gemeente/college-commissieleden/de-heer-pacm-van-der-velden
 |archive-date = 10 April 2014
}}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|Municipal council]]
| leader_party       = [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|PvdA]]
| leader_title       = [[Burgemeester|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Paul Depla
<!-- Geographic information -->| total_type         = Municipality
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
<!-- square kilometers -->| area_total_km2     = {{Dutch municipality total area|Breda}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Dutch municipality land area|Breda}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Dutch municipality water area|Breda}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web
 |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool
 |title = Postcodetool for 4811DJ
 |language = nl
 |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
 |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland
 |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis
 |access-date = 15 April 2014
 |archive-date = 26 December 2018
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181226031342/http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool%0A
 |url-status = live
 }}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 3
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m    = <!-- Population, demographics -->
| population_footnotes = <ref name="ReferenceA">{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|dataref}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=De grenzeloze regio|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2yY6YDcyvsC&pg=PP1|publisher=[[Sdu (publishing company)|Sdu uitgevers]]|quote=Het BBP van BrabantStad ligt op 14.7% van het nationale BBP. In de regio liggen Philips, de Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, de Universiteit Tilburg en de HAS Den Bosch. De regio heeft 1.4 miljoen inwoners. Er is veel R&D, ICT, automotive, logistiek en agribusiness.|date=2007|isbn = 9789012124577}}</ref>
| population_total   = {{Dutch municipality population|Breda}}
| population_as_of   = Municipality, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}; Urban and Metro, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbaseyear}}}}
| population_density_km2 = {{Dutch municipality population density|Breda}} <!-- For automatic calculation: auto-->
| population_urban   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Breda Urban}}
| population_metro   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Breda Metro}}
| population_blank1_title = {{ill|Breda-Tilburg metropolitan region|lt=<abbr style="border-bottom: none;" title="Breda-Tilburg metropolitan region">Metro region</abbr>|nl|Breda-Tilburg|vertical-align=sup}}
| population_blank1  = 553706
| population_blank2_title = [[Brabant metropolitan area|<abbr style="border-bottom: none;" title="Brabant Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area">Brabant CMSA</abbr>]]
| population_blank2  = 1932055
| population_demonym = Bredanaar, Bredaër
<!-- Other information -->| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 4800–4841, 4847, 4850–4854
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code          = 076
| website            = {{URL|1=http://www.breda.nl}}
| module             = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=5}}
| footnotes          = Click on the map for a fullscreen view
}}
'''Breda''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|r|eɪ|d|ə}} {{respell|BRAY|də}}, {{IPAc-en|alsoUK|ˈ|b|r|iː|d|ə}} {{respell|BREE|də}}, {{IPAc-en|US|b|r|eɪ|ˈ|d|ɑː}} {{respell|bray|DAH}}, {{IPA|nl|breːˈdaː|lang|nl-Breda.ogg}}) is a [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|city]] and [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]] in the southern part of the Netherlands, located in the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|province]] of [[North Brabant]]. The name derived from ''brede Aa'' ('wide Aa' or 'broad Aa') and refers to the confluence of the rivers [[Mark (Dintel)|Mark]] and [[Aa of Weerijs|Aa]].<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Breda}}</ref> Breda has 
185,072 inhabitants on 13 September 2022 and is part of the [[Brabantse Stedenrij]]; it is the tenth largest city/municipality in the country, and the third largest in North Brabant after [[Eindhoven]] and [[Tilburg]]. It is equidistant from [[Rotterdam]] and [[Antwerp]].

As a [[Defensive wall|fortified city]], it was of strategic military and political significance. Although a direct [[fiefdom]] of the [[Holy Roman Emperor]], the city obtained a [[City rights in the Low Countries|municipal charter]]; the acquisition of Breda, through marriage, by the [[House of Orange-Nassau|House of Nassau]] ensured that Breda would be at the center of political and social life in the [[Low Countries]]. Breda had a population of {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Breda}}}} in {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}; the metropolitan area had a population of {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Breda Metro}}}}.

==History==
{{For timeline}}
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical population
|align       = left
|cols        = 
|pop_name    = 
|percentages = pagr
|footnote    = 
|source      = {{Harvnb|Lourens|Lucassen|1997|pp=40–41}}
|1437|4870
|1496|6025
|1640|9500
|1740|11000
|1795|8250
}}

In the 11th century, Breda was a direct [[Fiefdom|fief]] of the [[Holy Roman Emperor]],<ref name=EB1911/> its earliest known lord being Henry of Brunesheim (1080–1125). The first mention of Breda in the historical record was in 1125 by Engelbertus van Breda who was a witness to draw up of a document.<ref name="HM2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/129239165/Het_vroegste_kasteel_van_Breda_Op_zoek_naar_een_verdwenen_burcht_aan_de_Mark|title=Het vroegste kasteel van Breda Op zoek naar een verdwenen burcht aan de Mark|last=Hupperetz|first=Wim|website=[[Academia.edu]]|date=May 2, 2025|access-date=June 19, 2025}}</ref> The city of Breda obtained a [[City rights in the Low Countries|municipal charter]] in 1252. After that Breda had the rights to build fortifications. The city constructed brick walls and Roman-style gates.

In 1327, Adelheid of Gaveren sold Breda to Duke [[John III, Duke of Brabant|Johannes III]] of [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]]. In 1350, the fief was resold to Johannes II of Wassenaar (d. 1377). In 1403, the heiress of his line, [[Johanna of Polanen]] (1392–1445), married [[Engelbert I of Nassau]] (1370–1442; his [[sarcophagus]] is in the [[Grote Kerk (Breda)|Grote Kerk]] in Breda). Through her, the city came into the possession of the [[House of Orange-Nassau|House of Nassau]], where it remained until 1795, passing to [[William the Silent|William I of Orange]] (1533–1584), [[stadtholder]] of [[Holland]], [[Zeeland]], and [[Utrecht (province)|Utrecht]] and leader of the [[Dutch Revolt|Dutch revolt]]. Thus, the baron of Breda was also [[County of Nassau|Count of Nassau]] in the [[Holy Roman Empire]], [[Principality of Orange|Prince of Orange]], and (the main) [[stadtholder]] in the [[Dutch Republic]] (from 1572 to 1650, 1672–1702, 1747–1795). Breda remained part of the barony of Breda until it was captured by [[French Revolutionary Army|French revolutionary forces]] in 1795.<ref>The [[Prince of Orange]] and subsequently [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|King or Queen of the Netherlands]] continued to use the title; today [[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Queen Beatrix]] uses the title Baron of Breda.</ref>

===Residence city===
[[File:HautepennesFury.jpg|thumb|left|alt=This colorized 17th century copperplate depicts the destruction, rape, and pillage of Breda: soldiers are killing men and women and the city is burning.|[[Claude de Berlaymont|Haultpenne's]] soldiers vent their fury upon the citizens of Breda in 1581]]
[[File:Velazquez-The Surrender of Breda.jpg|thumb|left|''[[The Surrender of Breda]],'' by [[Diego Velázquez]].]]

The acquisition of the city by the [[House of Orange-Nassau]] marked its emergence as a ''residentiestad'' (residence city). The presence of the Orange-Nassau family attracted other nobles, who built palatial residences in the old quarters of the city. The most impressive one, built by the Italian architect [[Tommaso Vincidor|Thomas Vincidor de Bologna]] for the first Dutch prince, was the first [[Renaissance architecture|renaissance-style]] palace built north of the Alps. In the 15th century the city's physical, economic and strategic importance expanded rapidly. A great church was built in [[Brabantine Gothic]] style with an elegant {{convert|97|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-high}} tower, called ''Grote Kerk'' (main church) or also ''Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk'' (Church of Our Lady). In 1534 [[Henry III of Nassau-Breda]] rebuilt the modest medieval fortifications in impressive style.

In 1534, a fire destroyed over nine tenths of the city, close to 1300 houses, churches, and chapels, and the town hall. Only 150 houses and the main church remained. In July 1581, during the [[Eighty Years' War]], Breda was captured in a [[Siege of Breda (1581)|surprise attack and siege]] by Spanish troops then under the command of [[Claude de Berlaymont|Claudius van Barlaymont]], whose [[sobriquet]] was Haultpenne. Although the city had surrendered upon the condition that it would not be plundered, the troops vented their fury upon the inhabitants. In the resulting mayhem, known as ''Haultpenne's Fury'', over 500 citizens were killed. In March 1590, Breda fell back into the hands of the Dutch and [[Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange|Maurice of Nassau]], when a 68&nbsp;men hand-picked force, concealed under the turf of a peat-boat, had contrived to enter the city in a daring plan devised by [[Adriaen van Bergen]], known as the ruse with [[Siege of Breda (1590)|the Peat Ship of Breda]]. Around 1610 the construction of the Spanish Gate or "Spanjaardsgat" was started as a remembrance to that successful action.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spanjaardsgat|url=http://kasteelvanbreda.nl/Kasteelvanbreda.nl/gebouwen/spanjaardsgat|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822134514/http://kasteelvanbreda.nl/Kasteelvanbreda.nl/gebouwen/spanjaardsgat|url-status=live}}</ref>

After a [[Siege of Breda (1624)|ten-month siege in 1624–25]], the city again surrendered to the Spaniards, now led by [[Ambrogio Spinola, marqués de los Balbases|Spinola]]; the event was immortalized by [[Diego Velázquez]]. In the [[Siege of Breda (1637)|Siege of Breda of 1637]] the city was recaptured by [[Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange]], after a four-month siege, and in 1648 it was finally ceded to the [[Dutch Republic]] by the [[Peace of Münster|Treaty of Münster]].

In 1646, Frederick Henry founded the [[Orange College of Breda]], modelled on [[Academy of Saumur|Saumur]], [[University of Geneva|Geneva]], and [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], intending it to train young men of good family for the army and the civil service.<ref name=journal>[[Lodewijck Huygens]], ''The English Journal: 1651-1652'', p. 13</ref>

===Stuart exiles===
The exiled Stuart [[Charles II of England]] resided in Breda for a little over a month of his time in exile during the [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwellian]] Commonwealth and [[Protectorate]], thanks to the proximity of Charles's sister [[Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange]], the widow of [[William II, Prince of Orange|Prince William II of Orange]] (died 1702).

Based mostly on suggestions by the Parliamentarian General [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle|George Monck]], Charles II's [[Declaration of Breda]] (1660) announced his conditions for accepting the crown of England, which he was to regain a few months later in the year.

===Later history===
[[File:The Polish Army in the North-west Europe Campaign, 1944-1945 KY44011.jpg|thumb|left|[[Polish Armed Forces in the West|Polish soldiers]] welcomed by the residents of Breda, 1944]]

The [[Treaty of Breda (1667)|Treaty of Breda]] was signed in the city on 31 July 1667, bringing to an end the [[Second Anglo-Dutch War]] in which the Dutch faced the same Charles II who had been their guest. Between 1746 and 1748 it was the site of the [[Congress of Breda]], a series of talks between Britain and France aimed at bringing an end to the [[War of the Austrian Succession]], which ultimately led to the signing of the [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]].
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Poles Breda.jpg|thumb|left|150px|B.W.T. van Slobbe, the Mayor of Breda, giving a welcome speech to the [[1st Armoured Division (Poland)|Polish 1st Armoured Division]]]] -->

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the city was under [[Germany|German]] occupation for over four years. During [[Operation Pheasant]] Breda was liberated following a successful outflanking manoeuvre planned and performed by forces of [[1st Armoured Division (Poland)|1st Polish Armoured Division]] of [[Stanisław Maczek|General Maczek]] on 28 October 1944. Each year during [[Liberation Day]] festivities, Breda is visited by a large Polish contingent and the city of Breda reserves a special portion of the festivities for the fallen Polish soldiers. A museum and a monument honoring Maczek and the Polish 1st Armoured Division stands in the city center. General Maczek and many soldiers of his division are buried in the nearby [[Polish Armed Forces|Polish military]] cemetery.
[[File:Breda, de Poolse kapel foto5 2014-12-28 11.42.jpg|thumb|Breda, Polish chapel]]
Breda was the site of one of the first [[panopticon]] prison establishments, [[Koepelgevangenis (Breda)|Koepelgevangenis]]. This prison housed the only German war criminals ever to be imprisoned in the Netherlands for their [[war crime]]s during the Second World War. Known as "[[The Breda Four]]", or "Vier von Breda", they were [[Willy Lages|Willy Paul Franz Lages]], who was released in 1966 due to serious illness, [[Joseph Kotalla|Joseph Johann Kotalla]], who died in prison in 1979, and [[Ferdinand aus der Fünten]] and Franz Fischer, who were both released in 1989 and died later the same year.

==Administration==
* '''Breda''' (''city'') (≈180,000)<ref>CBS 2017 [https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37230ned/table?ts=1531148712184 Bevolkingsontwikkeling regio Breda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803035505/https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37230ned/table?ts=1531148712184 |date=2017-08-03 }}</ref>
** {{Interlanguage link multi|Ginneken|nl}} (''former village absorbed by city agglomeration'')
** [[Princenhage]] (''former village absorbed by city agglomeration'')
* [[Prinsenbeek]] (≈11,500) (''added at the municipal reorganization in 1997'')
* [[Bavel (Netherlands)|Bavel]] (≈7,000) (''added at the municipal reorganization in 1997'')
* [[Teteringen]] (≈6,500) (''added at the municipal reorganization in 1997'')
* [[Ulvenhout]] (≈4,700) (''added at the municipal reorganization in 1997'')

===Administration===
The municipality of '''Breda''' is divided in 11 sectors:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://data.breda.nl/datasets/wijken/explore |title=Sectors of municipality Breda |access-date=2024-06-18 |archive-date=2024-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618003007/https://data.breda.nl/datasets/wijken/explore |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Breda Centrum (''center'')
# Breda Noord ('' North'')
# Breda Noord-West ([[Haagse Beemden]]) (''Northwest'')
# Prinsenbeek
# Breda West (''West''), which includes Princenhage and the border crossing '[[Hazeldonk/Meer|Hazeldonk]]' 
# Breda Zuid (''South''), which includes the [[Zandberg, North Brabant|Zandberg]] neighborhood<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zandbergbreda.nl/ |title=Official Zandberg site |access-date=2014-10-28 |archive-date=2014-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028114656/http://www.zandbergbreda.nl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Breda Zuid-Oost (''Southeast''), which includes Ginneken
# Ulvenhout
# Bavel
# Breda Oost (''East'')
# Teteringen

==Topography==
[[File:Breda-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg|520px]]

''Topographic map image of the city of Breda, March 2014. Click to enlarge.''

==Economy==
[[File:026 Algemene warenmarkt - market in Grote Markt, Breda, Netherlands.jpg|thumb|The market at Grote Markt]]
Historically, economic activities were mainly industrial. Breda was a center of the food- and drink industry. Companies like [[Hero Group|Hero]] (lemonade), [[Perfetti Van Melle|Van Melle]] ([[Mentos]]), De Faam (liquorice) and Kwatta (chocolate) are famous throughout [[Western Europe]].{{Citeneeded|date=April 2023}} Breda also had a [[sugar]] factory, supplying its best-known products.

Breda formerly housed the largest brewery in the Netherlands ([[Oranjeboom]]). The multinational [[Interbrew]] took over the brewery in 1995 and then closed it in 2004. Production of the ''Breda'' brand was moved to both Bremen and Leuven until 2008, when [[Randalls Brewery]] (in Guernsey) acquired the licence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/latest/2008/08/27/brew-coup-as-breda-is-made-in-guernsey/ |title=Brew coup as Breda is made in Guernsey « This Is Guernsey |publisher=Thisisguernsey.com |access-date=2013-03-12 |archive-date=2013-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330105630/http://www.thisisguernsey.com/latest/2008/08/27/brew-coup-as-breda-is-made-in-guernsey/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Guernsey]] is now the only place in the world where draught Breda is brewed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.randallsbrewery.com/breda.htm |title=Breda |publisher=Randalls Brewery |date=2012-11-22 |access-date=2013-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502111435/http://www.randallsbrewery.com/breda.htm |archive-date=2013-05-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

However, the decline of industrial activity did not harm the city's economy. Nowadays, Breda is a service oriented economy based on business, trade and logistics. A growing number of international companies choose to establish their head office for Benelux operations and manufacturing in Breda. Examples of these companies are [[3M]],<ref>[https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.3m_nederland_bv.f58acadeca18ebe4fcd1a94b98de264c.html 3M Nederland B.V.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202736/https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.3m_nederland_bv.f58acadeca18ebe4fcd1a94b98de264c.html |date=2021-06-24 }} Dun & Bradstreet. Retrieved: 2021-06-20.</ref> [[Abbott Laboratories]], [[Alfa Laval]], [[Amgen]], [[Dockwise]], [[ExxonMobil]], [[General Electric]], [[General Motors]], Krohne Oil & Gas, [[Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers]], [[Scania AB|Scania]], [[Texaco]], and [[Toshiba]]. Also, the food industry is still largely represented by companies such as [[Anheuser-Busch InBev]], [[Hero Group]], [[Perfetti Van Melle]] and {{Interlanguage link multi|Royal Cosun|nl}}. Furthermore, the city is host to the headquarters of the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]. Because of its central location between the ports of [[Antwerp]] and [[Rotterdam]], the city also attracts logistics companies such as [[Van Wijngen International]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Hazeldonk |url=https://www.bredabusiness.com/werklocaties/hazeldonk |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Breda Business |language=nl |archive-date=2024-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630031452/https://www.bredabusiness.com/werklocaties/hazeldonk |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Koch Media]] has its Benelux office in Breda.<ref>"[http://www.kochmedia.com/en/company/contact/ Contact] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919210811/http://www.kochmedia.com/en/company/contact/ |date=2016-09-19 }}." [[Koch Media]]. Retrieved on September 13, 2016. "Benelux Koch Media Benelux Princenhagelaan 1 C4 4813 DA Breda Niederlande"</ref>

The main shopping areas of Breda are the city center and the southern part of Breda. Known shopping centers are De Barones and 't Sas. Major shopping streets are the Eindstraat, {{Interlanguage link multi|Ginnekenstraat|nl|3=Ginnekenstraat (Breda)}}, Wilhelminastraat and Ginnekenweg. A market is held on the Grote Markt every Tuesday and Friday from 09:00 to 13:00. A book and antique market is held on Wednesday from 09:00 to 17:00.

==Education==
Breda became since 1970 a more specific ''education city'' and ''student city''. In 2012 there were 27,000 students registered in [[Education in the Netherlands#MBO|Middelbaar-]] and [[Vocational university#Netherlands|Hoger Onderwijs]].

Secondary education consists of;
*[[Voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs|vmbo]] – Pre-vocational secondary education
*vmbo-theoretical or mavo – secondary general continued education
*[[Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs|havo]] – higher general continued education
*[[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|vwo]] – preparatory scientific education / [[Atheneum (school)|atheneum]] / [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]]

Some schools offer bilingual English/Dutch education.
;Secondary schools in Breda;
*Curio (umbrella organization)
**De Rotonde ([[special education]] – services & cuisine, mavo)
** ISK (international transition school)
**Praktijkschool (practical special education)
**Prinsentuin van Cooth ([[Voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs|vmbo]] – agriculture, services and agricultural products, care, mavo)
**Scala (vmbo – art, theatre, multimedia, entrepreneurship, sports, mavo)
*Koraal Group (umbrella organization, special education)
**Brederocollege (special education vmbo)
**De Kei (special education – mavo, [[Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs|havo]])
**Ginnekencollege (education program at juvenile justice institution ‘Den Hey Acker’)
*De Campus (collaboration of three schools)
**Markenhage ([[Dalton Plan]])
**[[Michael (archangel)|Michaël]] College ([[Waldorf education]])
**Orion [[Lyceum#Netherlands|Lyceum]] (havo, vwo)
*[[House of Nassau|Nassau]] Scholengemeenschap (mavo, havo, [[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|vwo]])
*[[Engelbert II of Nassau|Graaf Engelbrecht]] College (mavo, havo, vwo dedicated in sports)
*[[Mencía de Mendoza]] Lyceum (Dutch & bilingual mavo, havo, vwo, atheneum)
*[[John Henry Newman|Newman]] college (mavo, 'technasium' – havo, atheneum & gymnasium)
*Onze Lieve Vrouwelyceum (havo, atheneum en gymnasium)
*Stedelijk Gymnasium Breda
*Tessenderlandt (vmbo – construction, mobility & transport, catering & recreation, healthcare & welfare, mavo)
**Christoffel (special education)
*International School Breda ([[International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme|myp]])
*Libertad ([[democratic education]])
*Luzac (private school)

===Vocational education===
This type of education is called '[[Education in the Netherlands#MBO|Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs]]' (MBO).
*De Rooi Pannen (hospitality and cuisine, events catering, tourism, leisure and marketing)
*Curio, Frankenthalerstraat 15 (agriculture, bread and banquet)
*Curio, Markendaalseweg 35 (hospitality, food and lifestyle, facility service)
**[[Cas Spijkers]] Academie (all-round culinary, catering and cuisine)
*SVO (vocational training food)
*Winford Academy (private school)

===University of Applied Sciences===
This type of education is called 'Hoger Beroepsonderwijs' (HBO)
*[[Breda University of Applied Sciences]] (data science & AI, creative business, games, hotel, facility, logistics, built environment, tourism, leisure & events)
*[[Avans University of Applied Sciences]]
**Environmental Science for Sustainability, Ecosystems and Technology
**Industrial Engineering and Management
**International Business and Management Studies
**International Financial Management
**Faculty of Military Sciences (part of the Dutch Defense Academy NLDA)
*Academie Sint-Joost ([[art school]] – visual arts)

===Military===
*[[Koninklijke Militaire Academie]] (K.M.A.), NLDA – (service academy, for the [[Royal Netherlands Army|Dutch Army]], the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force|Dutch Air Force]] and the [[Royal Marechaussee]])

==Main sights==
[[File:10235 Kasteel van breda 3.jpg|thumb|[[Castle of Breda]]]]
[[File:2010-05-21-breda-by-RalfR-07.jpg|thumb|Harbour of Breda]]
[[File:Bredacentrum.jpg|thumb|Grote Markt]]
[[File:Breda, het Spanjaardsgat foto4 2014-12-28 12.40.jpg|thumb|Ancient port: het Spanjaardsgat]]
[[File:Bredabegijnhof.jpg|thumb|Begijnhof]]
[[File:P1000921Graphic Design Museum.JPG|thumb|[[Stedelijk Museum Breda]] ]]
The city center contains old buildings and portions of the ''singels'' ([[moat]]s) and the harbour. Focal point is the Grote Markt, the main square with pubs and sidewalk cafes.

Park Valkenberg is a major public park, halfway between the main railway station Breda and the Grote Markt.

Major historic buildings include:
* The [[Grote kerk (Breda)|Grote Kerk]] (Great Church) or Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk (Church of Our Lady), a major example of the Brabant style of [[Gothic Architecture]].
* The [[Castle of Breda]] (houses the K.M.A).
* The [[Bouvigne Castle]] (house the 'Brabantse Delta Water Board' since 1972) 
* The Begijnhof, a [[Beguinage]].
* Saint Anthony's Cathedral (Sint-Antoniuskathedraal), the cathedral church of the Catholic Diocese of Breda.
* City hall.
* The {{ill|Spanjaardsgat|nl}}, a 16th-century water gate (part of the K.M.A. complex)
* The [[Koepelgevangenis (Breda)|Koepelgevangenis]] (Koepelprison).

==Culture==
The spoken dialect is West [[Brabantian dialect|Brabantian]], which is very similar to colloquial [[Dutch language|Dutch]].
===Carnaval===
As in other cities and villages in the south of the Netherlands, 40 days before Easter the citizens of Breda celebrate [[Carnival in the Netherlands|Carnaval]]. A four day chain of foolish events, silliness, nonsensical costumes and a small beer on the side. During the event the mayor of the city, symbolically turns over the keys to the city to “Prince Carnaval” and his ‘Council of 11’. Breda has 4 festive monarchs, the Prince of Breda, Princenhage, Haagse Beemden and the Baron of Ginneken. For the occasion the city is renamed to ‘Kielengat’. 

Musically, the carnaval events traditionally are enlivened by wind bands called ‘Dweilorkesten' (Mop Orchestra’s). All pubs and bars participate in the event and on Sunday and Monday a large parade of floats and foolish creations slides through the streets. The events ends on the evening before [[Ash Wednesday]] (Shrove Tuesday). The exclusive TV channel 'BaronieTV' broadcasts the events throughout the 'Barony of Breda'.

===Theaters===
*Chassé Theater (large regional theater and concert venue) 
*Nieuwe Veste (art & music center, concert house and music school)
*Podium Bloos (cultural venue, dance, stage play, music and literature)
*De Stilte (dance company and theater)
*Muzipo (puppet theatre)
*Poppodium Mezz (concert venue)
*Poppodium Phoenix (concert venue)
*Avenue (dinner show theatre & restaurant)
*De Koe (social cultural center, concert venue) 
===Cinemas===
*Chassé Cinema (film house connected to Chassé Theater)
*Filmhuis Breda (independent cultural film house)
*[[Pathé Cinémas|Pathé]] Breda
*[[Kinepolis]] Breda
===Music festivals===
*Breda Jazz Festival
*Breda Barst (free rock festival)
*Breda Live
*Breda Dancetour (dance festival)
*Spanjaardsgat Festival (classical music festival on a flouting stage in the old harbor)
*Ploegendienst (dance festival)
*Parkies (traveling summer festival)
*Duikboot Festival
*Tranen van Van Cooth ([[Levenslied]] festival)
*[[Radio 538#Queen's/King's day|538 Koningsdag]] – April 27, "national" kings birthday party organized by [[Radio 538]]
*Breda Drijft – (Breda Floats, music festival on the moats)

===Museums===
Breda hosts the following museums:
* Begijnhof Breda Museum ([[Beguinage]] museum)
* Generaal Maczek Museum (museum dedicated to [[Stanisław Maczek|General Maczek]])
* [[Maczek Memorial Breda]] (memorial and graveside of General Maczek)
* Bier Reclame Museum (Beer advertising museum & bar)
* NAC Museum (museum of [[NAC Breda]])
* Heemkundig Museum Paulus van Daesdonck (historical museum)
* Museum Oorlog & Vrede (War and Peace Museum)
* [[Stedelijk Museum Breda]] (historical municipal museum)
* Princenhaags Museum (historical village museum)

===Other notable events===
{{norefs|section|date=April 2025}}
*BredaPhoto (outdoor photo exposition)
*Graphic Matters (graphic design festival)
*Cultuurnacht (culture night)
*Lichtsloepen Parade (illuminated boat parade)
*Brabantse Kastelendag (provincial open castle day)
*International Film Festival Breda
*Stripbeurs ([[comic book convention]])

===Harley Day===
The Harley Dag was one of the biggest one-day motorcycle events of Europe, held on the third Sunday of August. The American motorcycle brands [[Harley Davidson]] and [[Indian Motorcycle|Indian]] were the main guests of the day. Other American brands were also welcomed to the city center. All other brands had to park at a dedicated parking outside the city center. At the peak over 10,000 motorcycles visited the city and attracted an audience of a 100,000 people. 2010 was the 22nd and last official edition. 
===Roodharigedag===
[[Redhead Day]] (nl; Roodharigedag) is a festival that between 2007 and 2011 took place in Breda during first weekend of September. Since 2019 the festival relocated to [[Tilburg]]. The two-day festival is a gathering of people with natural red hair, but is also focused on art related to the colour red. Activities during the festival are lectures, workshops and demonstrations. The festival attracts attendance from 20 countries and was free due to sponsorship of the local government. Furthermore, some people referred to Breda as the opposite of burning man. As the festival grew bigger they needed a new spot to host the ever growing event.

==Sports==
===Football===
[[File:20110110 ratverleghstadium.jpg|thumb|[[Rat Verlegh Stadion]]]]
Breda's only professional [[football team|football club]], is [[NAC Breda]]. The club plays in the [[Eredivisie]] and their home stadion is the [[Rat Verlegh Stadion]]. The club became National Champion, once in 1921. 
The former Cadet football association ‘Velocitas’ of the military academy won the ''Holdertbeker'' (the predecessor of the [[KNVB Cup]]) in 1899-1900. 

Besides NAC there are more amateur football clubs among others; 
*v.v. Baronie
*{{Interlanguage link multi|RKVV JEKA |nl}}
*{{Interlanguage link multi|RKSV Groen Wit |nl}}
*{{Interlanguage link multi|SAB (voetbalclub)|nl}} 
*{{Interlanguage link multi|SV Advendo|nl}} 
*The Gunners

===Hockey===
Breda also plays a big role in the hockey department. {{Interlanguage link multi|B.H.V. Push|nl}} supplied high-level players to the national women and men teams of the Netherlands and played in the [[Men's Hoofdklasse Hockey|Hoofdklasse]] them self. A few of Push’s national team players for example are: [[Bram Lomans]], [[Matthijs Brouwer]], [[Thom van Dijck]], [[Joep de Mol]], [[Floris Wortelboer]], [[Teun Beins]], [[Cécile Vinke]] and [[Malou Pheninckx]]. 

*{{Interlanguage link multi|BNMHC Zwart-Wit|nl}}
*{{Interlanguage link multi|BH & BC Breda|nl}} (hockey & [[bandy]] club)

===Athletics===
Breda's [[Sports club|athletics club]], {{Interlanguage link multi|A.V. Sprint|nl}}, is with around 2000 members, the largest club of its kind in the Netherlands. Beside the usual athletics sports at their own track, they offer, [[nordic walking]], [[tai chi]], [[Fitness boot camp|bootcamp]] and [[parasports]]. 

===Other sports===
*SBC2000 ([[water polo]], [[swimming]], [[Diving (sport)|diving]])
*Breda's Rugby club
*Breda's Golden Glory ([[kickboxing]] camp)
*Bredase Bowling Vereniging, playing in the first European bowling alley
*Boxing association 'Bredase Ring'
*Fier ([[artistic gymnastics]])
*[[Roller derby]] Breda
*Cadetten Roei – en Zeilvereniging 'Dudok van Heel' ([[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]] and [[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]], Military academy)
*BRESS, Bredase Student Sports

===Venues===
*Municipally Sport center Breda a.k.a. ‘De Scharen’
*de Drie Linden, Prinsenbeek
*de Doelen, Princenhage
*Bruut (bouldering) 
*Zwembad Sonsbeeck (swimming pool)
*Sports Boulevard
**Schaats- en Racketcentrum Breda (iceskating, racket sports)
**Zwembad De Wisselaar (swimming pool)
**Wielerbaan Breda (cycle sport)

===Sport events===
*Singelloop
Every year in October, the {{Interlanguage link multi|Bredase Singelloop|nl}} is a major road running event on the [[half marathon]] distance with a field of national and international athletes. Similar events are held in Princenhage (10 van 't Aogje) and Haagse Beemden (Haagse Beemden Loop) although the maximum distances are 10 kilometer.

*Outdoor Brabant
The equestrian sports event Outdoor Brabant started out as "Military Breda" in the woods around [[Galder]] and a [[Four-in-hand (carriage)|Four-in-hand]] [[Combined driving]] competition, near the village Princenhage. Later these merged and both moved to the southwest of Princenhage where the event changed into "Breda Hippique". The event consists of [[dressage]], [[eventing]], [[show jumping]], and Combined driving. For a couple of years the event was free of charge to the public, due to sponsoring by a major bank. When the sponsorship ended a relative high fee was charged to enter the event. 

====Para Sports====
*Special Olympics Nationale Spelen
In 2024 together Breda and Tilburg host the Special Olympics National Games. The biggest national sports event aseptically for people with a mental disability. 2500 athletes competed in 21 sports.<ref>[https://specialolympics.nl/special-olympics-nationale-spelen-2024-in-breda-en-tilburg/ Special Olympics Nationale Spelen 2024 in Breda en Tilburg]</ref>

*European Para Championships
Between August 8 and 20, 2023, the European Para Championships were held in Breda. 1,500 athletes from 45 countries participated in the event.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indebuurt.nl/breda/gids/european-para-championships/ |title=European Para Championships, in de buurt |access-date=2024-06-22 |archive-date=2024-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622190127/https://indebuurt.nl/breda/gids/european-para-championships/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

*ParaGamesBreda
In 2011, the ParaGamesBreda received 3,000 athletes from 40 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/paragamesbreda-open-netherlands |title=ParaGamesBreda, International Paralympic Committee |access-date=2024-06-22 |archive-date=2024-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622190129/https://www.paralympic.org/news/paragamesbreda-open-netherlands |url-status=live}}</ref>

====UEFA Women's Championship 2017====
In 2017 the [[Rat Verlegh Stadion|NAC Breda Stadion]] was one of the hosts of the [[UEFA Women's Championship|Women's European Football Championship]]. Together with [[FC Twente|Enschede]], [[De Adelaarshorst|Deventer]], [[Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel|Rotterdam]], [[Koning Willem II Stadion|Tilburg]], [[De Vijverberg|Doetinchem]] and [[Stadion Galgenwaard|Utrecht]]. The Dutch women won the tournament in the [[De Grolsch Veste]] in Enschede.

==Demographics==
===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religions in Breda (2014)<ref name=cbs2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/maatwerk/2015/20/religie-en-kerkbezoek-naar-gemeente-2010-2014|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek|title=Kerkelijkheid en kerkbezoek, 2010-2014|date=13 May 2015|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628162344/https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/maatwerk/2015/20/religie-en-kerkbezoek-naar-gemeente-2010-2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Irreligion|No affiliation]]
|value1 = 44.9
|color1 = Honeydew
|label2 = [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]
|value2 = 41.8
|color2 = DarkOrchid
|label3 = [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]]
|value3 = 6.0
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|label4 = Other Christian denominations 
|value4 = 2.6
|color4 = DeepSkyBlue
|label5 = [[Islam in the Netherlands|Islam]]
|value5 = 3.6
|color5 = Green
|label6 = [[Hinduism]]
|value6 = 0.6
|color6 = Orange
|label7 = [[Buddhism]]
|value7 = 0.5
|color7 = Yellow
}}

In 2014, the largest religion in Breda was [[Christianity]], comprising 50.4% of its population. The next largest faith is [[Islam]] adhered to by 3.6% of residents. Religiously unaffiliated people made up 44.9% of the population.<ref name=cbs2014/>

===Ethnic groups===

The ethnic make-up of Breda, in 2020, was as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=a&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=153,603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek|title=CBS Statline|access-date=2017-07-04|archive-date=2017-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811104447/http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=a&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=153,603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Dutch people|Dutch]] (140,312) (75.45%)
*{{flagdeco|Morocco}}[[Morocco|Moroccans]] (5,712) (3.1%)
*{{flagdeco|Indonesia}}[[Indonesia]]ns (5,332) (2.9%)
*{{flagdeco|Turkey}}[[Turkish people|Turks]] (3,080) (1.7%)
*{{flagdeco|Belgium}}[[Belgium|Belgians]] (2,940) (1.6%)
*{{flagdeco|Germany}}[[Germany|Germans]] (2,661) (1.5%)
*{{flagdeco|Netherlands Antilles}}[[Netherlands Antilles|Antilleans]]/[[Aruba]]ns (2,211) (1.2%)
*{{flagdeco|Poland}}[[Polish people|Polish]] (2,165) (1.2%)
*{{flagdeco|Surinam}}[[Suriname]]se (2,058) (1.1%)
*{{flagdeco|Ireland}}[[Irish people|Irish]] (65) (0.08%)

==Notable residents==
* [[Charles II of England]], lived in Breda for most of his exile during the period of the [[Commonwealth of England]]. His sister, [[Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange]] was widow of [[Stadtholder]] [[William II, Prince of Orange]] and co-regent for their son [[William III of England|William III]] sovereign Prince of Orange and later King of [[Kingdom of England|England]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]].
* Stadtholder [[William the Silent]], [[Prince of Orange]], 'Lord of Breda' and his wife [[Anna van Egmont]], Princess consort of Orange, had their residence at the [[Breda Castle]]. Anna is buried in the Prince chapel at the [[Grote Kerk (Breda)|Grote Kerk]].
*[[René of Chalon]], the first of the Nassau family bearing the tile 'Prince of Orange', was born and lived in the Breda Castle. He passed the title to his paternal cousin William of Nassau-Dillenburg (William the Silent). 
* Although neither of them were long-term residents of Breda, it was there, in 1618, that the young [[René Descartes]] (at the time, a soldier in the army of [[Maurice, Prince of Orange|Prince Maurice of Nassau]]) first met, and had extensive conversations with, Dutch philosopher, mathematician, and scientist [[Isaac Beeckman]] (then temporarily resident in the town). This interaction with Beeckman seems to have changed the course of Descartes’ intellectual life, eventually leading him to the major innovations in mathematics, science, and philosophy for which he is famous.<ref name=gaukroger>[[Stephen Gaukroger]]. ''Descartes: An Intellectual Biography.'' Oxford University Press, 1995.</ref>
* [[Colonel Tom Parker|"Colonel" Thomas Parker]], the manager of [[Elvis Presley]], born and raised in Breda as Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk.
* [[Adriaen Cornelissen van der Donck]] (c. 1618–1655), first lawyer in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam; a polyglot
* Breda is the birthplace and home to several internationally famous [[electronic dance music]] artists including [[R3hab]], [[Dannic]], [[W&W]] along with former ''[[DJ Magazine#DJ Mag Top 100 Polls|World No.1 DJs]]'' — [[Tiësto]] and [[Hardwell]]. The title of their 2011 collaboration track, ''Zero 76'' is derived from the dialing code of Breda.
* Breda is also the birthplace of former Olympic swimmer [[Karin Brienesse]] and former [[field hockey]] player [[Remco van Wijk]], who twice won the gold medal at the [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]] with the Dutch National Team: 1996 and 2000.
* Sculptor Jan De Swart, born in Ginneken, a suburb of Breda, and lived in the area until he emigrated to The United States in 1929
* Pioneering Dutch composer [[Jan Ingenhoven]] (1876-1951) was born in Breda, and it's the city where the Dutch composers [[Daan Manneke]] and [[Kristoffer Zegers]] live.
*[[Thomas Simon Cool]], Dutch historical and genre painter, resided and taught in Breda 1866-1870
* The Dutch football international [[Pierre van Hooijdonk]] played in Breda. Other formerly international Dutch football players from NAC Breda were Antoon (Rat) Verlegh, [[Kees Rijvers]], Kees Kuijs, Leo Canjels, Daan Schrijvers, Frans Bouwmeester, Nico Rijnders, Ad Brouwers, Bertus Quaars, Martin Vreysen and [[Ton Lokhoff]].
* [[Ramon Dekkers]], Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion, was born and died in Breda
* {{ill|Guido Weijers|nl|Guido_Weijers|vertical-align=sup}}, famous Dutch stand-up comedian
* [[Virgil van Dijk]], Dutch professional footballer playing center-back for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
* [[Sylvie Meis]], Dutch television personality, model and ex-wife of football player [[Rafael van der Vaart]] was born in Breda
* [[Pieter Bruegel the Elder]], famous Netherlandish painter
* [[Paul Verschuren]], born in Breda, Roman Catholic [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Helsinki|Bishop of Helsinki]] from 1967 to 1998

==Transportation==
===Trains===
Breda has two [[Breda railway station|railway stations]], [[Breda railway station|Breda]] and [[Breda-Prinsenbeek railway station|Breda-Prinsenbeek]], providing [[Regional rail|’Sprinter’]] and [[Inter-city rail|Inter-city]] connections throughout the Netherlands. 

Inter-city destinations from Breda to the North are [[Rotterdam]], [[The Hague|Den Haag]] and [[Amsterdam]]; east to [[Tilburg]], [[Eindhoven]], [['s-Hertogenbosch|Den Bosch]], [[Nijmegen]] and [[Zwolle]]; west to [[Roosendaal]] and [[Flushing, Netherlands|Vlissingen]]. 

The regional Sprinter-trains connect the smaller towns, [[Gilze en Rijen]], [[Etten-Leur]], [[Lage Zwaluwe]] and [[Dordrecht]] with Breda. The Breda-Prinsenbeek railway station is only served by Sprinter-trains. 

The 'Intercity direct' uses the [[HSL-Zuid]] for a high-speed connection with the [[Rotterdam Centraal station]], [[Schiphol Airport railway station|Schiphol Airport]] and [[Amsterdam Centraal station]]. Between Rotterdam and Schiphol there is an extra surcharge for this train.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/special-routes/intercity-direct.html |title=Intercity direct, NS website |access-date=2024-06-19 |archive-date=2024-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622015405/https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/special-routes/intercity-direct.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The international train from Amsterdam to [[Brussels-South railway station]] also stops in Breda and connects the city with these destinations via the Schiphol–Antwerp high-speed railway. The train is operated by a corporation between [[NS International]] and the [[National Railway Company of Belgium]] (NMBS).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nsinternational.com/en/belgium/train-brussels |title=IC Brussels, NS International |access-date=2024-06-19 |archive-date=2024-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619094829/https://www.nsinternational.com/en/belgium/train-brussels |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Trains/InterCity |title=IC train Brussels - Amsterdam, NMSB International |access-date=2024-06-19 |archive-date=2024-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612212333/https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Trains/InterCity |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Buses===
There are four kinds of buses in Breda: citybuses, regional, intercity and international. City and regional buses are operated by Arriva under the alias 'Bravo' (''[[North Brabant|'''BRA'''bant]] '''V'''ervoert '''O'''ns'').

Citybuses drive only within the city of Breda;

*1 – Hoge Vucht <-> [[Breda railway station|Breda bus station]] <-> Nieuw Wolfslaar / [[Bavel, Netherlands|Bavel]]
*2 – Hoge Vucht <-> Breda bus station <-> [[Haagse Beemden]]
*4 – Princenhage <-> Breda bus station <-> Haagse Beemden
*5 – Breda bus station <-> Heusdenhout
*6 – Breda bus station <-> [[Meersel-Dreef]]
*7 – Nieuw Wolfslaar <-> Breda bus station <-> Heusdenhout
*8 – Breda bus station <-> [[Breda University of Applied Sciences]] (Ignatiusstraat)
*9 – Breda bus station <-> [[Avans University of Applied Sciences]]

Regional buses provide connections to nearby towns and cities;

*115 – [[Zundert]]
*119 – [[Zevenbergen]]
*177 – Zevenbergen, [[Klundert]], [[Fijnaart]]
*122 – [[Hooge Zwaluwe]], [[Lage Zwaluwe]]
*130 – [[Rijen]], [[Gilze]]
*132 – [[Chaam]], [[Baarle-Nassau]]/[[Baarle-Hertog]]
*216 – [[Etten-Leur]] (departure near Breda-Prinsenbeek train station)
*311 – Etten-Leur (center), [[Oudenbosch]], [[Oud Gastel]]
*312 – '''Etten'''-Leur, [[Roosendaal]]
*316 – Etten-'''Leur''' (north)
*325 – [[Oosterhout]] (Hoofseweg / Het Goorke)
*326 – Oosterhout, [[Geertruidenberg]]
*327 – Oosterhout, Tilburg
*615 – Zundert, Berkenring – Breda, Mencia de Mendoza (student bus runs twice a day)

The more luxurious intercity buses, called 'Brabantliner' connect Breda with both [[Gorinchem]] (402) and [[Utrecht]] (400 & 401). These lines are a compensation for the lack of direct train connection between the cities.

There was also a [[Zeeland]]dic busline (19) which connected [[Hulst]] ([[Zeelandic Flanders]]) and Breda via [[Antwerp]], [[Belgium]]. The line was operated by Connexxion and in the past by the Belgian [[De Lijn]]. After 71 years the line was canceled in 2024.

International buses are operated by several providers. From the international bus stop at the Breda railway station, multiple options are possible.

Low-cost [[intercity bus service]] [[FlixBus]] provides a regular timetable to [[Gare de Paris Bercy|Bercy, Seine]] via Antwerp or [[Gent-Dampoort railway station|Gent-Dampoort]]. In addition, two routes to the [[Romania]]n capital [[Bucharest]]. Either via Antwerp – Maastricht – Aachen or via Eindhoven – [[Düsseldorf]] to [[Cologne/Bonn Airport station]] – [[Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof|Frankfurt am Main Hbf]] to [[Passau]], with the final station Autogara Militari.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flixbus.co.uk/?_sp=fb9e5eec-dbf7-4f51-a972-eb94d5884d9a.1718884278531&atb_pdid=14654c6e-6b61-4ad1-b9eb-5c83b47154b8&noRedirect=true&_spnuid=9c457f93-710b-4045-b1c5-a6ee7b658bbc_1718884278506 |title=FlixBus homepage |access-date=2024-06-20 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122532/https://www.flixbus.co.uk/?_sp=fb9e5eec-dbf7-4f51-a972-eb94d5884d9a.1718884278531&atb_pdid=14654c6e-6b61-4ad1-b9eb-5c83b47154b8&noRedirect=true&_spnuid=9c457f93-710b-4045-b1c5-a6ee7b658bbc_1718884278506 |url-status=live}}</ref> The company also offers a tree times a week services to [[Brussels-North railway station]] from the Breda-Prinsenbeek international bus stop.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_813_Amsterdam_Sloterdijk_-_Brussel-Noord |title=FlixBus Amsterdam – Brussels |access-date=2024-06-20 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122534/https://wiki.ovinnederland.nl/wiki/Lijn_813_Amsterdam_Sloterdijk_-_Brussel-Noord |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[BlaBlaBus|BlaBlaCar bus]] provides an (almost) daily timetable between Breda – Utrecht – Amsterdam – Schiphol and [[Amsterdam Sloterdijk station|Sloterdijk]] in the early morning. In addition, BlaBlaCar bus provides an international timetable to Antwerp – Brussels, Center – Brussels-South railway station – [[Gare de Paris Bercy|Paris, Gare de Paris Bercy]] with the final station at [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.blablacar.nl/bus/routes |title=BlablaCar, routes |access-date=2024-06-20 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122532/https://www.blablacar.nl/bus/routes |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Flibco]] offers an [[Airport bus|airport shuttle service]] from Breda to [[Brussels Airport|Brussel, Zaventem Airport]] and Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flibco.com/nl/timetable |title=Flibco uurregeling |access-date=2024-06-20 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122532/https://www.flibco.com/nl/timetable |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Roads===
*The [[A16 motorway (Netherlands)|A16]] / [[European route E19|E19]] is a motorway in the west, going northbound to [[Rotterdam]] and southbound to the Belgian border at [[Hazeldonk/Meer]] following in the direction of [[Antwerp]], [[Brussels]] as [[A1 motorway (Belgium)|A1]] and through to [[Paris]] as E19. 
*In the East the [[A27 motorway (Netherlands)|A27]] / E311 is also a motorway to the north; It connects Breda with [[Utrecht]] and [[Almere]]. 
*Passing South of the city, the [[A58 motorway (Netherlands)|A58]] connects Breda with [[Tilburg]] and [[Eindhoven]] in an easterly direction and [[Roosendaal]], [[Bergen op Zoom]], [[Middelburg, Zeeland|Middelburg]] and Vlissingen in a westerly direction. 
*Further north of Breda runs the A59 from [['s-Hertogenbosch]] to [[Willemstad, North Brabant|Willemstad]], following as N59 to [[Zierikzee]]. 

The Interchanges 'Sint-Annabosch' (A58/A27), 'Galder' (A16/A58), 'Zonzeel' (A16/A59) and 'Hooipolder' (A27/A59) connecting them all.

===Waterway===
The city owes its existence to the accessibility by water. As from the beginning of the city, the rivers [[Mark (Dintel)|Mark]] and [[Aa of Weerijs|Aa]] were used for trading and supplying the city. Today the city is accessible for pleasure boating from the north. There is an open connection to the [[Volkerak]] via the Mark and connection to the [[Wilhelmina Canal]] through the Mark Canal. The Dintel/Mark is accessible for cargo ships up to 86 meters (282 ft) long from Dintelsas to Breda.  The 'Werve' yacht port provides a berth for passing pleasure ships just north of the city center.
===Airport===
The small airport [[Breda International Airport]] is located west of the city. The airport was opened in 1949 as '''Seppe Airfield''' and is in limited use for civil aviation. Amsterdam's [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Schiphol Airport]] is fairly used by residents in the city as it provides most destinations worldwide. It is located {{convert|112|km|abbr=on}} north of Breda. [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen|NS]] operates direct train services between Breda and Schiphol.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands}}
Breda is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
{{colbegin}}
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Diest]], [[Belgium]]
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[City of Brussels|Brussels]], Belgium<ref>{{cite web |title=Brussels |url=https://efus.eu/about-us/brussels/ |website=efus.eu |date=21 January 2012 |publisher=European Forum for Urban Security |access-date=2022-02-15 |archive-date=8 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808183020/https://efus.eu/about-us/brussels/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Dillenburg]], [[Germany]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Orange, Vaucluse|Orange]], [[France]]
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Wrocław]], [[Poland]]<ref name="Twin">''{{cite web|url=http://www.wroclaw.pl/p/964/|title=Wrocław Official Website – Partnership Cities of Wrocław|access-date=2008-10-23|publisher=[[File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|14px]] [[File:Flag of Germany.svg|12px]] [[File:Flag of France.svg|10px]] [[File:Flag of Poland.svg|border|10px]] {{fontcolor|Green|(in [[English language|{{fontcolor|Green|English}}]], [[German language|{{fontcolor|Green|German}}]], [[French language|{{fontcolor|Green|French}}]] and [[Polish language|{{fontcolor|Green|Polish}}]])}} [[copyright|©]] 2007 Wrocław Municipality|archive-date=2008-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201707/http://www.wroclaw.pl/p/964/|url-status=live}}''</ref>
{{colend}}

==References==
;Notes
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
;Literature
{{See also|Timeline of Breda#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Breda}}
*{{cite book |last1=Lourens |first1=Piet |last2=Lucassen |first2=Jan |title=Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800 |year=1997 |place=Amsterdam |publisher=NEHA |isbn=9057420082 }}

==External links==
*{{Commons-inline}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Breda}}
*{{Official website|http://www.breda.nl/}}

<!--Please note that not all directions need to be filled-->
<!--Please note that preferably only neighboring municipalities or bodies of water should be used-->
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Brede
|North     = [[Drimmelen]]<br />''[[Mark (Dintel)|Mark]]''
|Northeast = [[Oosterhout]]
|East      = [[Gilze en Rijen]]
|Southeast = [[Alphen-Chaam]]
|South     = [[Hoogstraten]]{{space}}([[Belgium|BE]]-[[Antwerp (province)|VAN]])
|Southwest = [[Zundert]]
|West      = [[Etten-Leur]]
|Northwest = [[Moerdijk]]
}}

{{North Brabant Province}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Breda| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Municipalities of North Brabant]]
[[Category:Populated places in North Brabant]]